Brookfield, IL vs Chester, IL

The cost of living difference between Brookfield, IL and Chester, IL is dramatic. Chester is 64.6% cheaper than Brookfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookfield has a cost index of 102 while Chester sits at 62, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookfield is $1,328/month compared to $642/month in Chester — a 107% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chester is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $314,000.

Median household income in Brookfield is $108,429 compared to $74,673 in Chester (+45.2%). The higher salaries in Brookfield partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookfield spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, more than the 10.3% in Chester.